MariaNYC

Message: Hi,
We're staying at an inn in Falmouth next week and neither one of us really knows the Cape too well. We want to do daytrips to Provincetown and Martha's Vineyard. Can anyone recommend anything fun to do there or good restaurants with good seafood? Is Falmouth a good place to get dinner or should we look elsewhere? What about beaches? Our inn is right on the beach but are there even nicer ones nearby? Thanks so much in advance.

zootsi

As far as beaches - Falmouth is on Nantucket Sound, so it's water temps are pretty warm, and the water is quite calm. The drawback is there is sometimes seaweed. The beaches on the eastern shore are the classic National Seashore beaches (Nauset, Marconi, etc).
These are the most beautiful, but have cold water and somewhat rough surf. The beaches on bay side are usually calm with lots of shallow flats, and the water is on the cool side. The choices of places to eat on the Cape are overwhelming, I'm sure there are many good restaurants in the Falmouth area, which is quite built up. If you go to Provincetown, definitely do a whale watch cruise - Provincetown is one of the best whale viewing spots in the world. Reserve a day ahead. The bird sanctuary in North Eastham is a great place to walk around at low tide, especially for kids.

seafox

I haven't ventured to Falmouth in 20 years, but rather spend my time on the Outer Cape. I would suggest you plan your driving time with care. Provincetown (PTown) is a fairly good distance from Falmouth and with tourist traffic can be exasperating. Leave early with an eye towrd being in PTown by 10 AM. If it is a "non beach day" traffic will be heavy (everyone loves to come to PTown as an alternative to the beach). Parking can be another challenge. Obey the no parking zones (you will be ticketed or towed). Park at the first lot you see that has spaces. The town is only 2 miles long....never too far to walk. The best "secret" is to go to PTown on a good beach day. Traffic is a little better. RTemember it is the same sun all over the Cape. You'll be able to take advantage while on a whae watch and the National Seashore beaches at Race Point and Herring Cove are amongst the best. Look for my other threads on resteraunt suggestions.

klw25

I've heard that the RooBar in Falmouth is fun--an eclectic bistro with exotic pizzas and great martinis. Famouth village has a nice little main street with lots of original boutiques and one of the best ice cream spots on the Cape--Bill and Bens. The line's always out the door and they have every flavor imaginable (I've never been brave enough to try the Lobster ice cream!) For beaches in Falmouth, I love Old Silver. The parking lot fills up early, but the water is warm, there's a beach stand with burgers, dogs, etc., and the Sea Crest Hotel, which is right on the beach, has a restaurant. (I've only had breakfast there, but the view is great.)
If you're looking for something to do at night, Hyannis is only about 15 minutes away. Main Street is a busy little strip of clothing stores, art galleries and the like, as well as several restaurants and bars. Penguins Sea Grill is the best of the lot. There are several places where you can sit outside and have a drink. Elsewhere in Hyannis, the Naked Oyster has great fresh seafood (love the raw bar!). And Misaki on W. Main St. is the best sushi around.
Provincetown is loaded with great restaurants. Expensive but worth it--Chesters, New American food; Front Street, modern Continental (the decor is lacking, as is the view, but the food more than makes up for it, especially the duck); Mews, New American and fabulous view of the water, and you can choose the casual, less expensive upstairs cafe over the first-floor dining room. More moderately priced, Ross' Grill, New American, great view, no reservations accepted; and Cafe Edwige, also New American. I also love to just pick any restaurant with outside, street-side dining for lunch and people watch. There's no place like P-Town for seeing such a collection of amazing, unusual characters, many of whom are doing whatever they can to be noticed!
If you do a whale watch out of Provincetown, the Portugese Princess Whale Boat is the best. They're known for always seeing lots of whales. My parents took one of my kids on it a few weeks ago and they saw a ton. There's plenty of shops in P-Town, the lighthouse is nice to visit, and I know that there's a place that offers horseback riding on the beach. Check with the local Chamber of Commerce.
A couple of my very favorite restaurants on the Cape--Abbicci's on Rt. 6A in Yarmouthport, northern Italian with Mediterranean influence; Chillingsworth in Brewster, French, expensive, probably a little too out of your way, but worth mentioning just because it is such a wonderful special-occassion spot.
Just make sure you make reservations if you can and heed the warning about traffic. If you're headed somewhere that's 15 miles away, it might take anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes to get there, depending on the roads that you have to travel. I'm sure the innkeepers at your inn will provide you with accurate time estimates.
If you like antiques or Cape Cod crafts, a nice day trip would start in Sandwich village--check out the duck pond, the historic Daniel Webster Inn, and the like. Then head down 6A into Barnstable, Yarmouth, Dennis, Brewster, stopping at whichever shops catch your attention (it would take days if you stopped at all of them). Chatham is also a great town to visit on a day trip. Avoid Rt. 28 through Hyannis, Yarmouth, Dennis (especially on a rainy day) unless you feel a strong desire to drive 3 mph down a street loaded with mini-golf courses, tacky t-shirt souvenier shops, so-so restaurants, and more tourists than even a tourist would want to see.
There's also a drive-in theater in Welfleet, something that not many people from off-Cape know. It's probably a 45 mintue drive back to Falmouth from there late at night, but there aren't many drive-ins around these days.
Enjoy your visit. The Cape's a beautiful place.

Gene

Earlier posters gave you great advice. In Provincetown I would also consider for dining: The Lobster Pot; Napi's, Bubala's and Fanizzis by the Sea. The last 2, right on Commercial Street have parking lots, a rarity in Provincetown.

Falmouth area nice places for dinner: Landfall restaurant, in Woods Hole right on the water; Downtown Falmouth The Nimrod.

In Falmouth try to bike the Shining Sea Bike Trail or drive Surf Drive from Woods Hole to Falmouth.

On your daytrip to Provincetown, try to leave as early as you can as someone else suggested. Take route 6A for a leisurely drive through the Cape's Bayside villages rather than the mid-cape highway (route 6).

cigalechanta

Rent a bike in P-Town and bike the beautiful trail. Racepoint beach is one of the best anywhere.